The chief executive of a bank with a substantial presence in Erie County has been named the nation’s banker of the year by an industry publication.

The honor, presented by American Banker, was given to Stephen Steinour, chief executive of Columbus-based Huntington Bank, which operates four branches and a wealth management office in Erie County.

The publication notes that the bank dramatically expanded its auto lending, taking advantage of a pullback by other banks.

American Banker writes: “Perhaps most visibly, the $56 billion-asset Huntington has invested tens of millions of dollars in a range of consumer marketing initiatives that combined have helped it add roughly 250,000 household checking accounts in less than three years.”

After losing $3 billion in 2009, Huntington returned to profitability in the first quarter of 2010 and has made money every quarter since.